The Pennsylvania National Horse Show team reviewed a record number of entries for the PNHS Poster & Program Art Contest before selecting Brittany Takata of Clarks Summit, PA, as the 2025 winner! 

Takata’s entry was an 18″x24″ oil painting on canvas, inspired by her visit to last year’s $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National. As the winner, Takata will receive a $1,000 cash prize, and her artwork will be featured on this year’s PNHS poster and program cover. 

Of her artwork, Takata wrote, “I had the opportunity to capture some incredible reference photos during the competition [at the 2024 PNHS]. As a lifelong equestrian with over 15 years in the saddle, I deeply appreciate the precision, trust and bond required to compete at such a high level. Though I no longer ride as often as I’d like, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show remains a cherished tradition and an annual reminder of the sport that shaped so much of my life. Through this piece, I’ve aimed to honor both the technical artistry of the event and the emotional intensity felt by those of us who know what it means to ride.” 

Also receiving recognition are four honorable mention artists including of Julie Freund of Milwaukee, WI; Alyson Gurney of Washington, D.C.; Hali Hetz Merz of Pittsburgh, PA; and Karen Martin of Freehold Township, NJ. Each honorable mention winner will receive a $100 cash prize and will be included inside the 2025 PNHS show program.